Harrowsmith

our contributors

MARK AND BEN CULLEN Mark is an expert gardener, author, broadcaster and tree advocate and holds the Order of Canada. His son, Ben, is a fourth-generation urban gardener and a graduate of the University of Guelph and Dalhousie University in Halifax. Follow them at markcullen.com, @MarkCullen4 and facebook.com/markcullengardening and look for their new book, Escape to Reality. CLAIRE DAM specializes in food and lifestyle photography. Her work has been featured in a variety of publications, most recently in the cookbook Debauch for the Other Bird group of restaurants. Claire and her husband live on a 17-acre, multi-generational permaculture farm in southern Ontario, where they raise a variety of animals and also work to nurture the connection between their land, their food and their community. MARIE EISENMANN lives off-grid in Quebec with her…

harrowsmith

Publisher Yolanda Thornton yolanda@moongate.ca 416-930-1664 Editor-in-Chief Jules Torti jules@moongate.ca Editor, Summer and Winter Editions Catalina Margulis catalina@moongate.ca Home and Property Editor Steve Maxwell Food Editor Signe Langford Gardening Editors Mark Cullen, Ben Cullen Copy Editor Jennifer Krissilas Contact the Editors Harrowsmith 1000 Golf Links Rd. P.O. Box 90078 Ancaster, ON L9K 0B4 harrowsmithmag.com Art Direction and Design Meredith MacKinlay, Egg Design meredith@eggdesign.ca Food Photography Tristan Peirce Contributors Claire Dam, Marie Eisenmann, Vanessa Farnsworth, Madeleine Hague Sarah Loten, Dan Needles, Phil Norton Executive Assistant Teresa Martin teresa@moongate.ca Copy Editor, Promotions Cheryl Carter Special Projects Allyson McGrane amcgrane@leftrightminds.com IT Specialist Shane Birley sbirley@leftrightminds.com Subscription and Circulation Manager Diana McLeod diana@moongate.ca Subscription Management Services KCK Global Limited Newsstand Specialist Scott Bullock National Newsstand Sales Comag Marketing Group (CMG) Order More Copies of Harrowsmith Visit our website at harrowsmithmag.com Strategic Brand Development Moongate Web Design and Management Graham Scott graham@moongate.ca…

preserving a way of life

For as long as we can remember, fire has been a tool for humans. From clearing areas for living and growing to using firewood to cook food and keep homes warm throughout the colder months, fire is an integral part of our life, especially life on the farm, as Sarah Loten explores in “Forged by Fire” (page 28). While fire has been a way for us to control our surroundings, it’s interesting to note, and terrifying to see, how climate change may be turning our greatest ally against us in the form of uncontrollable wildfires. As Vanessa Farnsworth explains in her story (page 23), with back-to-back devastating wildfire seasons in 2017 and 2018, many Canadians have started to wonder if this is the beginning of a future filled with smoke and fire.…

all fired up

Baby, it’s cold outside, but this issue is sure to heat things up! Gardening editors Mark and Ben Cullen show us how to grow our own hot peppers and prepare them so we can enjoy them year-round (page 18). Then, home and property editor Steve Maxwell explains how to build your own smokehouse (page 36) and also breaks down what we need to know about in-floor heating (page 32). This season is all about getting warm and cozy with loved ones, and this issue offers plenty of ideas for entertaining during this festive time of year. Food editor Signe Langford shares some delicious recipes to nibble on with friends, preferably with a roaring fire in the background. From lamb sliders to mini vegetarian tourtières, prepare to be inspired with simple yet delectable…

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BLAST FROM THE PAST This morning was special. I opened my gift of Harrowsmith from a very thoughtful son. During the 1970s, I would arise in the country south of Barrie and read Harrowsmith, in preparation for attending to my business on Bay Street. Even when I travelled throughout the U.S. on business, I tucked the magazine into my suitcase, to read whilst away. Opening up Harrowsmith down in the States calmed me and brought me great happiness. It was a wonderful balance to my Wall Street pressure. After all these years, to look at the cover and once again open up the magazine was quite the experience. And, holy cow, Batman, the content is as invigorating as it was in the 1970s. Keith K.B. Bullen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario TELL IT LIKE IT IS,…

how to attract the most desirable winter birds

One very important fact we have learned is that birds do not need us to feed them. Many well-intentioned feeders of birds (versus “bird feeders”) believe that wild birds become dependent on us for food. Other than, perhaps, the coldest days of the year and the ones with the deepest snowfall, birds are very capable of finding food from natural sources. They are much like us in that they will take the easiest path to a meal, and if it happens to be at your feeder, then that is where they will congregate. The good news is that you are free to go on vacation without having to worry about keeping the bird feeders full. There’s no need to feel guilty. Choosing the right birdseed When it comes to feeding birds, be…